Apparatus for spacing articles on conveyers



Feb. 2, 1954 E. J. WILLIAMS 2,667,960

APPARATUS FOR SPACING ARTICLES ON CONVEYERS Filed Dec. 17, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. EDWARD J. W/LL/HMS BY HA5 HTTOQNEJ/J. HARE/5,/\/cH, F05 TER a HARE/5 Feb. 2, 1954 E. J. WILLIAMS APPARATUS FORSPACING ARTICLES ON.CONVEYERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 17, 1951 w n wH RU & w M R R Q N W m m 0 E =i L. 6 W J M m Nt m firf M m w C 0C mm. aD A E w R M H 3 mm? W n 63 0Q g T/ m2 m3 5 5 Q3 lll d 0 w 9% 6% m2 m9 $33 2 nnh Pr v9 0 o o A 5 o My Q o o o o o 6 a n3 H a on 0 wt 3: H W? I?a, m .rp (O? mm /\\N 4.Q%\ N. m6 QQVKBQ 4 \W A Kw k3 Patented Feb. 2,1954 APPARATUS FOR SPACING ARTICLES N CONVEYEBS Edward J. Williams,Burbank, Caliii, assignor to Read Standard Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Application December 17, 1951, Serial No. 262,075

9 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for spacingapart articles being transported in single file by a conveyor.

The invention is disclosed hereinafter in connection with an apparatusfor periodically transferring articles being transported by a conveyoronto another conveyor operating transversely of the first so as to loadthe articles being transported by the first conveyor onto the secondconveyor in the form of ranks extending transversely thereof, a primaryobject of the invention being to provide an improved apparatus forspacing articles apart predetermined distances in the direction ofmovement of the first conveyor so that the articles will be spaced aparttransversely of the second conveyor when transferred thereonto.

The invention finds particular utility in the baking industry forspacing straps of pans containing bread or other goods to be baked inthe direction of movement of a conveyor which delivers the pan straps tothe inlet end of a traveling oven in single file and which operates atright angles to the traveling oven. The pan straps delivered to theinlet end of the oven in spaced relation in this manner are periodicallyloaded into the oven in the form of pan strapranks extendingtransversely thereof. In such an application of the invention, the panstraps in each rank loaded into the traveling oven are spaced apartpredetermined distances to prevent contact of the bakery goods inadjacent straps in the rank and to provide uniform circulation of heatedair for all of the pan straps. While the invention may be employed forspacing pan straps particularly advantageously and will be considered inconnection therewith hereinafter as a matter of convenience, it will beunderstood that the invention may be employed for spacing various otherarticles as well.

An important object of the invention is to provide an article spacingapparatus which is provided with means for spacing apart articles ofvarious lengths, or of difierent numbers. More particularly, an objectin this connection is to provide an article spacing apparatus having aplurality of spacing means each adapted to space apart articles of aparticular length, or a particular number of articles, and havingselector means for activating any one of the spacing means.

Thus, the present invention may be employed for spacing pan straps ofdifferent sizes and/or numbers, the size of a pan strap depending uponthe dimensions of the individual pans incorporated therein, the spacingof the individual pans in the strap, the number of pans in the strap,and so forth. For example, a strap of bread pans includes a plurality ofpans arranged side by side in spaced relation and secured together by anencircling strap, the dimension of the pan strap in the direction of thelongitudinal axes of the individual pans depending upon the length ofthe pans, and the dimension of the pan strap crosswise of the individualpans depending upon the number of pans in the strap, the spacing of thepans, and so forth.

Considering the present invention more specifically, an important objectthereof is to provide a conveyor for moving pan straps in single filealong a predetermined path, a master stop positioned adjacent thedownstream end of the path of the pan straps for intercepting the firstpan strap in the file, and a sequence of slave stops spaced apart alongthe path of the pan straps upstream from the master stop forintercepting succeeding pan straps in the file.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to providesuch a spacing apparatus in which the first slave stop in the sequenceis activated by the master stop upon interception of a pan strap by themaster stop, the second slave stop in the sequence is activated by thefirst slave stop upon interception of a pan strap by the first slavestop, and so forth.

Another object is to provide such a spacing apparatus wherein the slavestops are normally disposed in inoperative, retracted positions and aremovable into partially extended positions wherein they are operative tointercept pan straps upon interception of pan straps by the respectivestops downstream therefrom, the respective slave stops being movableinto their partially extended, operative positions in sequence as panstraps are intercepted by the adjacent stops downstream therefrom.

Another object is to provide a spacing apparatus wherein each slave stopis movable from its inoperative, retracted position to its operative,partially extended position in response to movement of the adjacent stopdownstream therefrom from a partially extended, operative position to afully extended position upon interception of a pan strap.

Thus, as the master stop intercepts -a pan strap and is moved from itspartially extended position to its fully extended position thereby, itmoves the first slave stop in the sequence from its inoperative,retracted position to its partially extended position. As the firstslave stop in the sequence is moved from its partially extended positionto its fully extended position by a pan strap intercepted thereby itmoves the second slave stop in the sequence from its inoperative,retracted position to its partially extended position, and so forth,which is an important feature of the invention.

Another important object of the invention is to provide such a spacingapparatus with a plurality of sequences of slave stops each of which isadapted to operate in conjunction with the master stop to space apartarticles of a particular size, and to provide such a spacing apparatuswith selector means for activating any one of the slave-stop sequences.A related object is to provide such a spacing apparatus wherein thespacing of each slave-stop sequence from the master stop and the spacingof the individual slave stops of such sequence differ from thecorresponding spacings for the other slavestop sequences so that each ofthe slave-stop sequences may be employed to space apart pan straps, orother articles, of a diiferent length under the control of theaforementioned selector means.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a plurality ofseries of actuators for operating the sequences of slave stops,respectively, and to provide selector means for moving each series ofactuators into engagement with the master stop and the correspondingsequence of slave stops.

Another object is to provide a selector means which includes a rotorcarrying the series of actuators in circumferentially spaced relation,the rotor extending parallel to the path of the articles beingtransported by the conveyor and being rotatable to move each series ofactuators into an operating station wherein it engages the master stopand the corresponding sequence of slave stops.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein each actuator is apush rod having ends adapted to engage two of the stops when it is inthe operating station. More particularly, an object is to provide anapparatus wherein the first actuator in each series engages the masterstop and the first slave stop of the corresponding sequence so as tomove the first slave stop from its retracted position into its partiallyextended position in response to movement of the master stop from itspartially extended position to its fully extended position uponinterception of a pan strap thereby, wherein the second actuator in eachseries is adapted to engage the first and second slave stops of thecorresponding sequence so as to move the second slave stop from itsretracted position to its partially extended position in response tomovement of the first slave stop from its partially extended position toits fully extended position by a pan strap intercepted thereby, and soforth.

Thus, the desired slave stop sequence may be activated merely byrotating the selector rotor into the desired position to bring theappropriate actuator series into engagement with the master stop and thecorresponding slave-stop sequence, which is an important feature of theinvention.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which includes transfer meansfor transporting the pan straps or other articles spaced apart by thespacing apparatus laterally into a traveling oven, for example.

Another object is to provide means for opcrating the spacing apparatusand the transfer means in timed relation, the transfer means beingcontrolled by the last slave stop in the particular slave-stop sequencein operation so that the transfer means transports the spaced pan strapslaterally only after the master stop and each of the slave stops in theslave-stop sequence in operation have intercepted the pan straps.

The foregoing objects of the present invention and the advantagessuggested thereby, together With various other objects and advantageswhich will become apparent, may be attained with the exemplaryembodiment of the invention which is illustrated in detail in theaccompanying drawings and which is described hereinafter. Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a spacing apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the spacing apparatus which is taken alongthe broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged, fragmentary elevational views illustratingthe operation of the spacing apparatus;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are further enlarged, fragmentary sectional viewsrespectively taken along the arrowed lines 5-5, 66 and 7|1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View taken along thearrowed line 8-8 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic View of an electrical circuit of the spacingapparatus.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the spacingapparatus of the inven tion illustrated therein includes a supportingstructure or frame 2|. Carried by the frame 2| is a generally horizontalplatform 22 along which pan straps or other articles to be spaced apartare transported in the direction of the arrow 23 by a conveyor orconveyor means 24. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the conveyor 24includes two spaced, parallel, endless conveyor elements 25. In theparticular construction illustrated,

each conveyor element 25 comprises a plurality.

of plates 26 respectively connected to the links of a chain 27. Thechains 27 are trained around sprockets 28 at the upstream end of thepath of the pan straps along the platform 22, and are trained aroundsprockets 29 at the downstream end of such path. The sprockets 28 aremounted on a shaft 39 carried by suitable bearings on the frame 2|, andthe sprockets 29 are similarly mounted on a shaft 3| also carried bysuitable bearings on the frame.

The conveyor 24 is driven by an electric motor 36 through a chain 31trained around a sprocket 38 on the conveyor shaft 3| and a sprocket 39on the motor shaft. The shaft 30 carries a sprocket 40 which drives aroller 4| at the upstream end of the pan strap through a chain 42trained around the sprocket 40 and around a sprocket 43 connected to theroller 4|. The purpose of the roller 4| is to bridge the gap between theconveyor 24 and another conveyor, not shown, which delivers pan strapsto the conveyor 24.

Spaced apart along the path of the pan straps from the downstream end ofsuch path toward the upstream end thereof are stops it! to I24,inclusive, the stop ||J| at the downstream end of the pan strap being amaster stop and the remainder being slave stops. It will be understoodthat while 24 stops have been disclosed, this number may be increased ordecreased as desired.

The stops IOI to I24 are arranged in six groups in the particularconstruction illustrated, the first group comprising the master stop IOIand the sequence of slave stops I01, H2, H1 and I23, the second groupcomprising the master stop WI and the sequence of slave stops I05, H0,H5, H9 and I23, the third group comprising the master stop WI and thesequence of slave stops I02, I06, I09, III, H4, H6, H9, I22 and I24, thefourth group comprising the master stop IBI and the sequence of slavestops I03, I08, III, H5, H1, IZI and I24, the fifth group comprising themaster stop I! and the sequence of slave stops I04, I09, H3, H6, I andI24, and the sixth group comprising the master stop I0! and the sequenceof slave stops I0'I, H3, H0 and I24. The stops of each group are spacedapart along the pan strap paths substantially equal distances and areadapted to space pan straps of a predetermined length. Thus, the stopsof the first group mentioned are adapted to space apart five pan straps,those of the second group are adapted to space apart six pan straps,those of the third are adapted to space apart ten straps,

those of the fourth are adapted to space apart eight pan straps, thoseof the fifth are adapted to space apart seven pan straps, and those ofthe sixth are adapted to space apart five pan straps. It will be notedthat while the stops of the first and sixth groups mentioned are adaptedto space apart the same number of pan straps, different slave stops areinvolved in these two groups so that the two groups handle pan straps oftwo different lengths.

As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, any one of theaforementioned slave-stop sequences of the six groups of stops may beactivated, depending upon the length of the pan straps to be spacedapart. The spacing apparatus of the invention includes selector means Ifor activating any one of the slave-stop sequences in a manner to bedescribed.

Considering the stops IOI to I24 in more detail with particularreference to Figs. 2 and 5, each of the stops is generally U-shaped andsubstantially spans the space between the conveyor elements 25. The armsof each U-shaped stop extend downwardly beneath the platform 22 and arerotatably mounted on a shaft I38 carried by the frame 2 I. The masterstop IOI is rotatable about its shaft'l 33 from a first operative orpartially extended position, which is shown in Fig. 3, to a. secondoperative or fully extended position, which is shown in Fig. 4. Each ofthe slave stops I02 to I24 is rotatable about its shaft I38 from aninoperative, retracted position through a first operative, partiallyextended position to a second operative, fully extended position, eachof the slave stops being retracted into a recess I39 in the platform 22when in its inoperative position. For example, the inoperative positionsof the slave stops I02, I06 and I24 are shown in Fig. 3, the partiallyextended position of the slave stop I02 being shown in Fig. 4. As willbe apparent, when all of the slave stops I02 to I24 are in theirretracted positions, they are inoperative to intercept pan straps beingtransported by the conveyor 24 so that the first pan strap in a filebeing transported by the con.- veyor is intercepted by the master stopIOI, which is movable only between the partially and fully extendedpositions discussed above.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, each stop includes a sleeve I40 whichreceives the corresponding shaft I38 and to which the correall spondingU-shaped portion is connected. Also connected to each sleeve I40 are twodepending arms I4I between which extends a pin I42 carrying a rollerI43, these rollers on the various stops being engageable by a system ofactuators to be described hereinafter.

Referring to the master stop IOI in Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will benoted that it does not quite attain a vertical position so that it isreturned to its partially extended position by gravity upon removal of apan strap bearing thereagainst. The slave stops I02 to I24 are biasedtoward their retracted positions in the same manner. Thus, whenever panstraps bearing against the various stops are removed in a manner to bedescribed, the various stops automatically return to their normalpositions, the normal position of the master stop IOI being itspartially extended position and the normal positions of the slave stopsbeing their retracted positions.

The selector means I30 includes a selector rotor I45 substantially equalin length to the distance between the master stop IOI and the slave stopI24 and extending parallel to the path of pan straps being transportedby the conveyor 24. The rotor I45 is located beneath the stops IEII toI24 and is rotatable in bearings I41 carried by the frame 2I. The rotorI46 is connected to a selector actuator I48 by a shaft I40 mounted in abearing I 50. The selector actuator takes the form of a hand wheel inthe particular construction illustrated and is provided with six notchesI5I, I52, I53, I54, I and I56, Figs. 3 and 7, therein respectivelycorresponding to the six groups of stops hereinbefore discussed.Insertable into any one of the notches I5I to IE6 is a pivoted leverI51, this lever being biased toward the actuator I48 by a spring I58. Aswill be apparent, the actuator I40 may be released by moving the leverI5I to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, whereupon the actuator may berotated to bring another one of the notches I5I to I56 into alignmentwith this lever. Rotation of the actuator is, of course, communicated tothe selector rotor I46 through the shaft I49.

In the particular construction illustrated, six actuating means I6I,I62, I63, I54, I and IE0 are carried by the selector rotor M5 andrespectively correspond to the six groups ofstops hereinbefore discussedin detail. All of the actuating means IfiI to I56 appear in endelevation in Fig. 5 of the drawings and fragments of the actuating meansI63 appear in side elevation in Figs. 3 and 4. and. in plan in Fig. 6,the remaining actuating means being omitted from Figs. 3, 4. and 6 forthe sake of clarity. Each of the actuating means IBI to I06 is rotatableinto engagement with the group of stops corresponding thereto uponrotation of the selector rotor I45 by the selector actuator I48. Thenotches I5I to I55 respectively correspond to the actuating means I5I toE66 and, when a particular actuating means has been rotated intooperative engagement with the group of stops corresponding thereto, thelevel I51 is inserted into the corresponding notch in the selectoractuator I48 to retain the desired actuating means in operativeengagement with the corresponding group of stops.

Each of the actuating means includes a number of actuators equal to thenumber of stops in the corresponding group minus one, the first actuatorin each actuating means or series being adapted to engage the masterstop WI and the first slave stop in the corresponding slave stopace-7,960

sequence, the second actuator being adapted to engage the first andsecond slave stops in the corresponding slave stop sequence, the thirdactuator being adapted to engage the second and third slave stops in thecorresponding sequence, and so forth. Except for the number of actuatorstherein and the lengthsof such actuators, all of the actuating means -l6I to I65 are alike so that only the actuating means I63 will beconsidered in detail.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, since the group ofstops corresponding to the actuating means IE3 includes ten stops, viz.,the master stop -I-I andthe sequence of slave stops H12, I06, I09,HI-,I-Ifi, I I6, H3, I22 and 124, this actuating means is, as indicated,above, provided with nine actuators ;I-'ZI to I19 which are all alignedaxially and which are movable axially of the selector rotor I46, i. e.,which are movable along a line parallel to the axis of the rotor. 'Asshown in Fig. l of the drawings, when the selector actuator M8 isrotated into a position such as to move the actuating means I63 into anoperating station wherein the actuators Hi to H9 operatively engage thestops of the corresponding .group, the first actuator III in this seriesis disposed between the rollers 14 3 of the master stop 14H and thefirst slave stop I92 in the corresponding sequence, the second actuatorI12 is disposed between the rollers I43 of the first and second-slavestops I92 and H36 of the corresponding sequence, the third actuator I13is disposed between :the rollers I43 of the second and third slave stopsI06 and N9 of the corresponding sequence, and so -forth. This relationis shown on a larger scale and in more detail in Figs. 3 and 4 whereinthe master stop It I the slave stops 182, I 0? and 12-2, and theactuators ill, I'I2, H3 and H9 appear.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and a, the

actuator =I II of the actuating means H3 takes the form of a push rodwhich normally rests on two flanges I81 and I-82 which are carried byand extend radially from the selector rotor I48, 1. e., the actuator Illrests on the flanges HM and I-82, as shown in Fig. 3, when no pan strapis intercepted by the master stop MI. The actuator I-l-I has pivotallyconnected thereto two links 483 and I84 which, in turn, are pivotallyconnected to the flanges -I-8I and I82, respectively. As will beapparent, this arrangement constitutes a three-bar linkage which permitsmovement of the actuator Ill longitudinally of the rotor It'd whilemaintaining the actuator parallel to the rotor. The actuator III ismovable from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig.4 by the master stop IOI when the latter intercepts a pan strap beingtransported in the direction of the arrow 23 by the conveyor 24, theroller M3 being adapted 'to engage an end member I25 on the actuator IIIto communicate movement of the roller I43 of the master stop toward theright, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, into movement of the actuator in thesame direction. Movement of the actuator III toward the right as viewedin Figs. 3 and 4 is limited by engagement of the end member I86 at theopposite end of the actuator with a stop I81 on the flange I82, the stopI81 being so positioned that the links I 83 and I8 do not quite attainvertical orientations. Consequently, when a pan strap intercepted by themaster stop I!!! is disengaged therefrom in a manner to be describedhereinafter, the action of gravity on the actuator Ill restores-it toits normal position, i. e., the position shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings.

'When the actuator TIT-I is moved 'from the position shown Fig. 3 tothat shown in Fig. 4 by the master stop IIl'I, the end member I86thereon engages the roller I43 of the first slave stop I02 inthecorresponding slave-stop sequence and rotates this slave stop from itsretracted position, shown in Fig. 3,110 its partially extended positionshown in Fig. 4.

The end members I and I86 of the actuator 'I-II are provided withcentral portions I88 which are substantially normal to the actuator Illand are provided with wing portions I89 which make acute angles with theactuator Ill and which serve as cams for guiding the master stop IUI andthe first slave stop H12 in the corresponding sequence into their properpositions relative 'to the actuator I'II when the selector rotor M6 isrotated to bring the corresponding actuating means I63 into theoperating station. Thus, the wing portions I 89 compensate for'any minormisalignments of theactuator HI and the stops WI and 102 and thus avoid.j'armning of the mechanism.

The actuators I12 to I19 are duplicates of the actuator III and aremounted on the selector rotor I46 by means of pivoted links in the sameway. Also, movement of the actuators I12 to PI-9 toward the right, asviewed in the drawings, is limited by Steps in the same way."Consequently, the actuators "I'I Z to I19 will not be describedin'detail.

Considering the operation of the actuating means I63, the numeral I9I inFigs. 3 and 4 of the drawings identifies a pan strap which is beingmoved in the direction of the arrow 23 by the conveyor 24. When this-panstrap is intercepted by the master stop I01, Fig. 4, it rotates themaster stop from its partially extended position to its fully extendedposition. When this occurs, the roller 1 53 of the master stop I0! actson the end member I85 of the actuator III to move the actuator Hi fromthe position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown Fig. '4, such movement of theactuator being limited by the stop I81 as previously discussed. At thesame time, the end memher I 86 of the actuator I'II engages the rollerI43 of the first slave stop 102 in the slave-stop sequence correspondingto the actuating means I63 and rotates this slave stop from itsretracted position into its partially extended position; as shown inFig. 4. Consequently, the first slave stop I02, which permitted passageof the pan strap I9I thereover when in its retracted position, is now ina position to intercept an oncoming pan strap- I9-2, Fig. 4. When thepan strap I92 is intercepted by the firstslave stop I02 in the sequence,this slave stop is moved from its partially extended position to itsfully extended position, whereupon the roller I43 thereof moves theactuator I72 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4. Such movement of theactuator H2 is communicated to the second slave stop I06 in sequence tomove it from its retracted position to its partially extended positionto enable this slave stop to intercept the next pan strap I93 in thefile of pan straps being trans ported by the conveyor 24. This processis repeated until pan straps have been intercepted by the master stopI01 and all of the slave stops I62, I06, I09, I, H4, H6, H9, I22 and I25 in this sequence. Thus, the master stop IIBI, on intercepting a panstra cooks the first slave stop I02 in the sequence under consideration,the slave stop It! cocks the second slave stop we when the 9 stop I02intercepts a pan strap, the second slave stop I06 cocks the third slavestop I09 when the stop I06 intercepts a pan strap, and so forth.Subsequently, when the intercepted pan straps are removed from theconveyor 24 in a manner to be described hereinafter, the action ofgravity restores the master stop IOI and the slave stops I02, I06, I09,III, H4, H6, H9, I22 and I24 to their normal positions, shown in Fig. 3.Also the action of gravity restores the actuators III to I It to theirnormal positions, shown in Fig. 3. Thus when the intercepted pan strapshave been removed from the conveyor 24, the elements of the spacingapparatus automatically re-set themselves preparatory to spacing anotherfile of pan straps.

If it is desired to space pan straps of a length other than that forwhich the slave stop sequence discussed in the preceding paragraphs isdesigned, it is merely necessary to rotate the selector rotor I45 intothe position necessary to bring the desired one of the actuating meansIBI to I66 into operative engagement with the corresponding group ofstops. As previously indicated, the selector rotor I45 may be rotated tobring another actuator means into the operating station by releasing thelever I! to permit rotation of the selector actuator I48, the lever I51thereafter being inserted into the proper notch in the selector actuatorto retain the desired actuating means in the operating station. Thus,any one of the six groups of stops heretofore discussed may be activatedby bringing the proper one of the actuating means IGI to I66 intooperative engagement therewith. As hereinbefore indicated, engagementand disengagement of the various actuating means and the various groupsof stops are facilitated by the wing portions of the end members on theactuators, these wing portions serving to compensate for any minormisalignment of parts so that jamming of the mechanism is avoided.

Each of the other actuating means IBI, I62, I64, I65 and I66 operates inthe same manner as the actuating means I63. Also, each of the othergroups of stops operates in the same manner as the group of stopscomprising the master stop IM and the slave-stop sequence I02, I06, I09,III, H4, H6, H9, I22 and I24. Consequently, a detailed description ofthe operation thereof is unnecessary.

After the pan straps of a file being transported by the conveyor 24 havebeen spaced apart in the manner hereinbefore discussed, they may betransferred laterally into a traveling oven, not shown, operating atright angles to the conveyor 24, or onto any other conveyor, not shown,operating at right angles to the conveyor 24. Referring particularly toFigs. 1 and 8 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a transfer means 2I5 which may be employed to transfer the spaced pan straps laterallyfrom the conveyor 24 along a lateral platform 2 I 6 leading to atraveling oven, or other apparatus. The transfer means 2I5 isillustrated as including a sweep bar 2II which is carried by arms 2I8 atits ends, each arm 2I8 being provided with rollers 2I9 and 220. Guidesor tracks 22I and 222 are carried by the frame 2! at either end of thesweep bar 2 II, the roller 2 I8 on each arm 2I3 being adapted to moveback and forth along the corresponding track 22I and the roller 220 oneach arm being adapted to move alternately on the corresponding track22! and the corresponding track 222. Downwardly biased track switches223 at one end of the tracks 222 10 serve to switch the rollers 220 ontothe tracks 222 when they reach the corresponding end of the tracks 22 I.More particularly, assuming that the rollers 2I9 and 220 on the arms 2I8are on the tracks 22 I, and that the arms are being moved toward theright, as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings, when the rollers 220 reachthe right end of the tracks 22!, they pass under the track switches 223,which then move downwardly so that, as the rollers 220 move toward theleft, as viewed in Fig. 8, they move upwardly onto the upper tracks 222.When the rollers 220 reach the left end of the upper tracks 222, asviewed in Fig. 8, they drop down onto the lower tracks 22I again andthen remain on the lower tracks during movement to the right, as viewedin Fig. 8, upwardly biased track switches 224 being provided to ease therollers 220 downwardly onto the lower tracks.

Thus, as will be apparent, with the pattern of movement described above,the sweep bar 2I'I follows the path designated by the arrowed brokenline 225, the sweep bar acting to transfer spaced pan straps laterallyfrom the conveyor 24 during movement thereof along the lower leg of thepath, and returning above any pan straps on the conveyor 24 during itsreturn movement along the upper leg of its path.

The sweep bar 2I'I is driven by chains 230 respectively disposed at theends thereof and respectively connected to the arms 2"? supporting thesweep bar by links 23], the links being pivotally connected to the arms2I8 and to the chains 23% so that the rollers 2m and 220 carried by eacharm may follow the pattern of movement discussed above. Each of thechains 230 is trained around sprockets 232 and 233 respectively mountedon shafts 234 and 235 carried by suitable bearings on the frame 2|. Asbest shown in Fig. 1, the shafts 235 carry additional sprockets 23%which are driven from sprockets 23'! on a countershaft 238 throughchains 239. The countershaft 238 is driven by an electric transfer drivemotor 240 through a chain 24I trained around a sprocket 242 (Fig. 2) onthe countershaft and a sprocket 243 on the motor shaft.

It will be recalled that in some of the slavestop sequences discussedpreviously, the last slave stop is I23, while in others, the last slavestop is I24. The invention provides means responsive to the interceptionof a pan strap by the last slave stop in the sequence in operation, i.e., either the slave stop I23 or the slave stop I24, for de-energizingthe conveyor motor 35 and for energizing the transfer motor 240 so thatthe transfer means H5 is activated to sweep the spaced pan straps ofithe conveyor 24. For this purpose, the slave stops I23 and I24, whenrotated into their fully extended positions by intercepted pan straps,are adapted to actuate switch means 253 and 254 respectively. As bestshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the -switch means 253 is engageablewith the roller-supporting arms I II of the slave stop I23 when thisslave stop has been rotated into its fully extended position by anintercepted pan strap, and the switch means 252 is engageable by theroller I43 of the slave stop I24 when this slave stop has been rotatedinto its fully extended position by an intercepted pan strap. It will beunderstood that the switch means 253 and 252 are not actuatedsimultaneously, but are actuated one at a time, the switch means 253being actuated only when the slave stop I23 is the last slave stop inthe sequence;- andthe switch means 25% being actua'te'cl' only when theslave stop I'l iis the last slave stopin the sequence. The switch means25-3111- cludes two switches 255 and 256 and the switch means 254includes two switches Zfil and 258, all of which are illustrated indiagrammatic form in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The switches 255' and 251are connected in series witheach other and with the Conveyor motor 36and are normally closed, i. e., are closed as long as the respectiveslave stops I23 and I25 are not in their fully extended positions.However, the switch 255 is opened when the slave stop I23 is moved intoits fully extended position by an intercepted pan strap and, similarly,the switch 25! is opened when the slave stop me is' moved into its fullyextended position by an intercepted pan strap. Thus, full extension ofeither of the slave stops i23 and I25 opens the circuit to the conveyormotor 38 to stop' the conveyor 24. The switches 256' and 258 areconnected in parallel with respect to. each other and are connected inseries with the transfer motor 24!), these switches being normallyopen, 1. e., being open as long as the re' spective slave stops I23 andIN are not in their fully extended positions. However, full extension ofeither of the slave stops I23 and I24 closes the corresponding switch256 or 258 to energize the transfer motor 2%. Also connected in parallelwith the switches 256- and 258' and in series with the transfer motor2M! is a switch 259 which, as shown in Fig. 8, is engageable by one ofthe arms 2I8 carrying the sweep bar 2|? when the sweep bar reaches arest position, shown in phantom in Fig. 8. The switch 259 is a limitswitch which is self closing, but which is adapted to be held open byone of the arms 2H3 when the sweep bar is in its rest position.

Considering the over-all operation of the invention, it will be assumedthat the sweep bar 2I'I is in its rest position so that the switch 259isopen, and that no pan straps are intercepted by any of the stops ifiIto I24, which means that the slave stops I23 and IZQ are in their retracted positions so that the switches 255 and 257 are closed and theswitches 25% and 258 are open. Under such conditions, the conveyor drivemotor 36 isenergized to drive the conveyor 24, but the transfer drivemotor 25-6 is de-energized.

Now assume that a file of pan straps is delivered to the inlet end ofthe conveyor 24 in any suitable manner, as by another conveyor, notshown. Also assume that the selector actuator Mt has been set in theposition required to activate the sequence of slave stops correspondingto the pan strap length being handled and/or the number of strapsdesired.

As hereinbefore discussed in more detail,- the fir'st pan strap in afile transported by the conveyor 24 passes over all of the slave stopsand is intercepted by the master stop IHI. Under the conditions outlinedabove, the master stop, in being moved from its partially extendedposition to its fully extended position by the pan strap interceptedthereby, moves the first slave stop of the activated slave-stop sequenceinto its partially extended position to intercept the second pan strap,this process being repeated until all of the slave stops in the sequencein operation have intercepted pan straps. When the last slave stop inthe sequence in operation, either the slave stop I2 3 or the slave stopI24, intercepts a pan strap, it is rotated to its fully extendedposition, and, as this occurs, it actuates the corresponding switchmeans 253 or 254, thereby opening one of the switches ztt' aigq EST-anderas n one of. the switches 25 6 and 258. Consequently, the conveyormotor 36- is de ener'gized and the transier motor 2-40 is energized.De-energizihg the can, veyor motor 36 interrupts delivery of: panstrapsto the spacing apparatus, while energizatioh oi the transfer motor249 causes the sweep bar M7 totransfer the spaced pan straps laterallyfrom the conveyor 24. As soon as the sweep bar 'ZIll hastransferred thespaced pan straps from thecon-veyor 24, the sl-ave'stops of the sequencein operation fall back into their retracted positions under theinfluence of gravity, and-themaster stop- I-BI falls; into its partiallyextend-ed position under the action of gravity. When the slave stop inthe activated sequence falls back into itsretracted position, thecorresponding one ofthe switches 255 and 251 is closed.- to re-energizethe conveyor motor 36 and, atthe same time, the corresponding one of theswitches 25% and 258- is reopened so that the transfer motor is energi'zed only through the switch 259 at this point The re-energizationof the conveyor motor 36 causes the" conveyor 2-4 to deliver additionalpan straps to the article spacing: apparatusywl-iereupon the foregoingsequence of events is repeated; Because of the presenceof the switch 25%in the circuit of the transfer motor 240, the transfer motor continuesto operate until it has returned the sweep bar 2 I! to its restposition, whereuponthe limit switch 25% is opened to de-energize thetransfer drive motor.- The transfer drive motor remains ole-energizeduntil such time as pan straps have been intercepted by the master stopI91 and by all of the slave'sto'ps in the sequence in operation,whereupon the foregoing cycle of events is repeated its entirety.

Preferably,- a switch- 211 actuable by the appa'-= ratus, such as anoven, to which the pan straps are delivered, is connected in series withthe transfer motor 240 so that thismotor cannot be energized by one ofthe switches 256-, 258, 01 159 until such apparatus is ready to receivethe pan straps. A similar electrical interlock may-be provided betweenthe conveyor motor 36 andthe sweep bar 211' by providing aswitch 212 inseries with-the conveyor friotor st and'actuable'by the sweep bar 2| 1after ittha's cleared the conveyor 24a Thus, the conveyor 24 cannotsta-r't until all ofthe pan straps being transferred by the sweepbar-'Z-I'l have completely cleared;- it;

Thus, the present invention provides an aparatus for automatically and.accurately spacing apart articles being transported by a conveyor sothat the spaced articles may be transferred laterally f'roni the pathofthe conveyor in spaced rela tion, or may be otherwise handled. Also, thepresent invention-provides an apparatus for spac ing apart articles ofdifferent lengths under the control of a selector means for selectingthe arti-- cle stops to be activated. It will be understood thatalthough a spacing apparatus having six slave=stop sequences has beendisclosed, the number of such sequences may be increased or decreased asdesired, depending upon thenuniber of article sizes to be handled. Also;the number of slave stops in each sequence may be increased or decreasedas desired.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been illustratedherein, it will be understood that variouschange's, modifications andsubstitutions may be incorporated such embodiment without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the combination of: asupporting structure providing a path having upstream and downstreamends; conveyor means carried by and movable relative to said supportingstructure for moving articles in succession along said path toward saiddownstream end thereof; a plurality of spacing means carried by saidsupporting structure for spacing articles apart aiong said path; aplurality of actuating means for actuating said spacing means,respectively, said actuating means being movable into engagement withsaid spacing means, respectively; and rotatable selector means carriedby said supporting structure and carrying said actuating means formoving said actuating means into engagement with said spacing means,respectively, successively.

2. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the combination of a supportingstructure providing a path having upstream and downstream ends; conveyormeans carried by and movable relative to said supporting structure formoving articles in succession along said path toward said downstream endthereof; a movable master stop carried by said supporting structureadjacent said downstream end of said path anddisposed in said path forintercepting an article being transported by said conveyor means, saidmaster stop being movable from a first operative position to a secondoperative position by an article intercepted thereby; a plurality ofsequences of movable slave stops carried by said supporting structure,said slave stops of each of said sequences being spaced apart along saidpath upstream from said master stop, each of said slave stops beingmovable from an inoperative position through a first operative positionto a second operative position, said slave stops being inoperative tointercept articles being transported by said conveyor means when intheir inoperative positions, but being disposed in said path when intheir first operative positions so as to intercept articles beingtransported by said conveyor means, and said slave stops being movablefrom their first operative positions to their second operative positionsby articles intercepted thereby; a plurality of series of actuatorsrespectively corresponding to said sequences of slave stops, saidactuators of each of said series respectively being engageable with saidslave stops of the corresponding one of said sequences to move saidslave stops of said corresponding sequence from their inoperativepositions to their first operative positions to intercept articles beingtransported by said conveyor means, the first actuator in each of saidseries also being engageable with said master stop and being operable bysaid master top upon interception thereby of an articl being transportedby said conveyor means to move the first slave stop in the correspondingone of said sequences from its inoperative position to its firstoperative position, and the second and subsequent actuators in each ofsaid series also being engageable with the first and subsequent slavestops in the corresponding one of said sequences, respectively, andbeing operable by the first and subsequent slave stops in thecorresponding one of said sequences, respectively, upon interceptionthereby of articles being transported by said conveyor means so as torespectively move the second and subsequent slave stops in thecorresponding one of said sequences from their inoperative positions totheir first operative positions; and selector means for moving saidseries of actuators into engagement with said master stop and saidsequences of slave stops, respectively, successively, said selectormeans comprising a rotor carried by and rotatable relative to saidsupporting structure adjacent said master stop and said sequences ofslave stops and carrying said series of actuators, said series ofactuators being circumferentially spaced around said rotor so thatrotation of said rotor moves said series of actuators into engagementwith said master stop and said sequences of slave stops, respectively,successively.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said actuators are movablymounted on said rotor for movement axially thereof, the actuators ofeach of said series being axially aligned.

4. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the combination of a supportingstructure providing a path having upstream and downstream ends; conveyormeans carried by and movable relative to said supporting structure formoving articles in succession along said path toward said downstream endthereof; a pivoted master stop carried by said supporting structureadjacent said downstream end of said path and disposed in said path forintercepting an aricle being transported by said conveyor means, saidmaster stop being pivotable from a first operative position to a secondoperative position by an article intercepted thereby; a plurality ofpivoted slave stops carried by said supporting structure and spacedapart along said path upstream from said, master stop, each of saidslave stops being pivotably from an inoperative position through a firstoperative position to a second operative posit on, said slave stopsbeing inoperative to intercept articles being transported by saidconveyor means when in their inoperative positions, but being disposedin said path when in their first operative positions so as to interceptarticles being transported by said conveyor means, and said slave stopsbeing movable from their first operative positions to their secondoperative positions by articles intercepted thereby; a rotor carried bysaid supporting structure with its axis parallel to said path; and aplurality of series of actuators for said slave stops carried by saidrotor, said series bein spaced apart circumferentially of said rotor andbeing engageable with selected ones of said stops when rotated into anoperating station adjacent said stops in response to rotation of saidrotor, each of said actuators being engageable with two of said stopswhen its series is in said operating station and being movable axiallyof said rotor so as to move one of the stops which it engages from itsinoperative position to its first operative position in response tomovement of the other stop which it engages from its first operativeposition to its second operative position by an intercepted article onsaid conveyor means, one of the actuators in each of said series beingengageable with said master stop and one of said slave stops when itsseries is in said operating station and each of the other actuators ineach series being engageable with two slave stops when its series is insaid operating station, each of said series having a difierent number ofsaid actuators therein.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said actuators is apush rod having ends respectively engageable with two of said stops.

6. In an apparatus for spacing articles, the combination of: asupporting structure providing a path having upstream and downstreamends; conveyor means carried by and movable t5 relative to;said'supporting structure'fi'or movin articlesin succession along saidpath toward said downstream end thereot; a movable master stQD- carriedby said supporting structure adjacent.

7 said downstream end of said path and disposed insaid path: forintercepting an article benigtransported by said conveyor means, said:master stop being: movable from a first operativeposi-l. tion to asecond operative position. by.- an article intercepted thereby;asequence oi movableslave stops carried by said supporting structure andspaced apart along said path upstream from; said master stop, of said"slave stops being movable from an inoperative position through a first.operative position to: a second operative position, said slave stopsbeinginoperative to intercept articles being transported by said.conveyor means when in their inoperative positions, but: being disposedin said path-when in their first operative positions so as to interceptarticles being trans-i ported by said conveyor means, and said slavestops being movable from their first operatives positions to: theirsecond: operative positions: by article; intercepted thereby; a rotorcarried; by said supporting structure adjacentsaid. stops and:substantially parallel tosaid path; and a series. of actuators carriedby said rotor, said actuators being axially aligned and" being movableaxially of said rotor and beingrotatable into and: out: of an operatingstationIupon. rotation of: said ro.-. tor, thefirst actuatorin saidseries;being;engage'-.- ablewith said master-stop -and-theifirst slavestop in said sequence to move saidfirst slavestop from its inoperativeposition toits first operativeposiie tion in response to movement of"said master stop from its operative position to. its sec-s and operativeposition by an intercepted article when said actuators are insai'doperating station, the second: actuator in: said series being engageable. with. the first and second slave stops said. sequence so asto.move said second slave stop fromitsinoperative position to its instoperative position in response to movement. of: said first slave stopfrom its first operative position e i second; operative; position; by anintercepted; artiwhemsaid actuators arein; said operatin .1 tion; thethird actuator in said series; be ng ens gageable the, second; and;third slavestops; said sequence so as to move said third: slave stopiron). its inoperative position to; its'first. oper ativei posit-ion inresponse to movement of; said; second; slave stop from, its, firstoperative position; to its second operative position by an interceptedarticle,- when said actuators; are in. Sai perat n station, and soforth. the last; actua or n sai series being enaageable with the lastand he. next-to-the.-last slave stops in sa d: sequ l-m so; as to.-move; said, last. slave; stop; from its inopera-l 131163 position to itsfirst operative; position in e sponse' to.v movement. of: said;next-tQ-the-lastslave stop from its first operative position to its;second operative position by an intercepted articlewhensaid actuatorsare in saidioperatins; tation.

7:. An apparatus according to. claim fi-wherein each oi: said actuators;is a pus-hi rod; having; ends; respectively engageable with two of said:stops when said actuators. arein said operating; station.

8: An apparatus according to; claim 6 wherein; each. of actuators. is a.push rod;- having; ends respectively en aeeable. with. two r saidi t pseach ofsaid actuators, being connected to. saidrotor by two,- pivoted:link providing for axial movement thereof relative. to said rotor.

a An apparatus according to claim, 6; wherein said: stops. are p votallyconnected; to said sup, P ting structure and are. provided with depend--ing arms. engageable, with said actuators,

EDWARD J. WZELLIANESi References Gited; in. the file of this. patentUNITED- STATES PATENTS

